Pile cut-off machine



Oct. 1,1957 K. F. DEWING ETAL 2,307,921

FILE CUT-OUT MACHINE Filed May 9, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TORS: K enne/h [Den/mg t 1 III BY Leroy (If/7717f? WW4) A TTORNEYf Oct. 1, 1957 K. F. DEWING ETAL FILE CUT-OUT MACHINE 3 Sheets-Shem 2 Filed May 9, 1957 Oct. 1, 1957 K. F. DEWING ETAL FILE CUT-OUT MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 9, 1957 N QR a g m N mw N C H R w mAm m? m 106 ma Q YJ B United States Patent Ofifice 2,807,921 Patented Oct. 1, 1957 PILE CUT-OFF MACHINE Kenneth F. Dewing, Orinda, and Leroy C. Smith, El Cerrito, Calif.

Application May 9, 1957, Serial No. 658,122

7 Claims. (Cl. 51-241) This invention relates generally to a pile cut-01f machine and more particularly to a pile cut-off machine for use with prestressed concrete piles.

As is well known to those skilled in the art of pile driving, piles for bridges, piers and the like are generally driven until the desired bearing capacities have been attained. Since the desired bearing capacity for each of the piles driven is often reached at different elevations, the upper ends of the piles must be cut off to the desired elevation. In the past, when concrete piles have been involved, jack hammers and the like have been utilized for removing the undesired upper portions of the piles. This has proved to be very laborious and time consuming and at the same time has often resulted in damage to the pile, sometimes to the extent that the pile must be replaced.

In general, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pile cut-off machine which is particularly useful in connection with prestressed concrete piles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pile cut-off machine by which piles can be cut to the desired elevation without damaging the upper portions of the piles.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pile cut-off machine of the above character which is relatively inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pile cut'otf machine of the above character which may be readily moved from one pile to the next.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pile cutofi machine of the above character which is easy and safe to operate.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a pile cut-01f machine incorporating the present invention and mounted on a pile.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view similar to that shown in Figure 1 but at right angles to the view shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 3.

a Figure 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along 1he line 55 of Figure 3.

' Figure 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 77 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of Figure 7.

In general, the pile cut-off machine consists of a circuthe motor-driven disc-like member 13.

lar track adapted to be removably mounted on the concrete pile. A carriage is mounted on the track and adapted to be moved on the track around the pile. A motor driven abrasive disc is mounted on the carriage so that the disc can be moved inwardly towards the center of the pile as the carriage is rotated about the pile. A plurality of circumferential cuts are made into the pile until the pile is nearly cut ofi. The pile cut-01f machine is then moved and the upper portion of the pile is broken off by a derrick as hereinafter described.

The pile cut-01f machine as shown in the drawing is comprised of a circular track structure 11, a carriage 12 mounted on the circular track structure and a motordriven disc-like member 13 mounted on the carriage 12.

The circular track structure 11 consists of a track frame 16 which can be in two or more sections. As shown, the track structure is formed in two sections, and 16b. Each section is formed of suitable structural members such as a pair of horizontal flat semi-circular plate-like members 19 and 21 connected by a vertical semi-circular member 22 extending at right angles to the members 19 and 21. A vertical end plate 23 (Figure 8) is mounted on each end of each of the sections by suitable means such as welding.

To vertical legs 26 are fixed to each of the sections 16a and 16b for a purpose hereinafter described. Each of the legs consists of an angle member 27 which is fixed to a plate 28 by suitable means such as rivets 29. The plate 28 is mounted between the horizontal members 19 and 21 and fixed to members 19, 21 and 22 by suitable means such as welding. A block 31 is mounted on each of the angle members 27 by suitable means such as welding. The block 31 is drilled and tapped to accommodate a bolt 32 which extends through an opening 33 in the vertical member 22.

A semi-circular track section 36 is mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal member 19 and another semi-circular track section 37 is mounted on the lower surface of member 21. Each of the tracks has a pair of beveled surfaces 38 which lie in planes at right angles to each other.

The semi-circular track frame sections 16:: and 16b are adapted to be fastened together by suitable means such as bolts 41 connecting the adjacent end plates 23 of the track frame sections as shown in Figure 3.

As explained previously, the carriage 12 is mounted on the track structure for movement on the track structure. The carriage is comprised of a framework 43 which consists of a pair of vertical U-shaped plate-like end members 44 and 46 connected together by upper and lower horizontal plate-like members 47 and 48. A vertical plate-like member 49 is connected between the horizontal members 47 and 48 and the U-shaped members 44 and 46.

A pair of wheel trucks 51 are mounted on each side of the carriage framework 43. The wheel trucks are formed with extensions 51a that proiect through openings 52 in the U-shaped members 44 and 46 of the framework 43. The extensions 51a are fixed to the carriage framework by suitable means such as bolts 53 connecting the extensions 51a to the horizontal members 47 and 48. It will be noted that the adjacent outer surfaces 51b and 510 of the wheel trucks 51 extend at right angles with respect to each other. A pair of wheels 54 are rotatably mounted on each of the wheel trucks 51 adjacent the surfaces 51b and 51c by suitable means such as bolts 56. The wheels are adapted to engage the beveled surfaces 38 provided on the tracks 36 and 37 and permit the carriage to be easily moved on the circular track structure 11.

Suitable means is provided on the carriage for mounting The disc-like member 13 must be formed of a suitable material to perform the cutting operation desired. For example, in cutting concrete piles, it has been found desirable to utilize discs composed principally of silicon carbide.

The disc-like member 13 may be driven by any suitable motive power such as the pneumatically driven motor 58 shown in the drawing. As shown, the motor is provided with a substantially bell-shaped housing 59 formed with a handle 61 and a lower semicircular guard 62. The motor is connected to a suitable supply of air (not shown) by a hose 63. The disc-like member 13 is mounted on the motor 58 so that it travels in the guard 62.

Suitable means is provided for mounting the housing 59 on the carriage 12 and consists of a U-shaped mounting member 66 which is adapted to accommodate an extension 67 of the guard 62. A pin 68 is removably mounted in the member 66 and serves to secure the extension 67 to the member for pivotal movement as shown in Figure 3. The pin 68 is secured to the U-shaped member 44 by a chain 69.

An extension 71 is provided on the guard 62 diametrically opposite the extension 67 and is removably secured to the carriage frame by a clevis assembly 72. The clevis assembly consists of an L-shaped member 73 having a stub shaft portion 74 threaded into the extension 71 of the guard 62 of the housing 59. A roller bearing assembly 76 is mounted on the shaft portion 74 between the extension 71 and the L-shaped member 73. The outer race 77 of the bearing assembly is adapted to track in an arcuate slot 78 in an elongate arcuate guide member 79. The lower edge of the guide member 79 overlying member 47 is fixed to the horizontal member 47 and the outer edge is fixed to the vertical member 49 of the carriage framework by a plate 81.

Means is provided for moving the disc-like member 13 about the pivot point formed by the pin 68 and consists of an adjusting rod 82, one half 82a of which has been provided with a left hand thread and the other half 8212 of which has been provided with a right hand thread. Portion 82b of the rod 82 is threaded into a cylindrical collar 83 which is adapted to be positioned in a hole 84 in the L-shaped member 73. A latch 85 is pivotally mounted on the L-shaped member 73 by suitable means such as a rivet 86 and is adapted to be moved into a position overlying the collar 83 when the collar member is positioned in the opening 84.

Portion 82a of the adjusting rod 82 is mounted in a clevis assembly 87 fixed to the outer end of the guide member 79. Clevis assembly 87 consists of a U-shaped block 88 pivotally mounted on the outer end of the guide member 79 by suitable means such as a bolt 89. Block 88 is provided with a cylindrical extension 88a (Figure which is mounted in an opening 91 in the guide member 79 and permits rotation of the block relative to the guide member 79. A cylindrical collar 92 is mounted on portion 82a of the rod 82 and is seated in holes 93 in the U-shaped block 88.

A handle 94 is mounted on the outer end of the adjusting rod 82 to facilitate turning of the rod.

Operation of the invention may now be described as follows: Let it be assumed that a plurality of piles have been driven so that they have the proper bearing capacity and that it is now necessary to cut the piles off to a desired elevation. Let it further be assumed that the piles are of the prestressed concrete type as shown in the drawing. The piles 97 consist generally of concrete and a plurality of prestressing members 99 spaced circumferentially in the piles. They may be solid or hollow as shown in the drawing.

After the piles have been driven to the proper bearing capacity, a work platform 102 is mounted on one or more piles. One work platform found to be satisfactory when several piles are to be cut off and when the piles are in alignment, consists of a pair of joists 103 placed on opposite sides of the piles and clamped to the piles by suitable means such as bolts 104. Suitable flooring d 106 is then laid on the joists so that workmen may move around each of the piles.

After the work platform has been completed, the pile cut-off machine is lowered or raised onto the work platform. One section of the track frame is placed on one side of the pile and the other section of the track frame with the carriage mounted thereon is placed on the other side of the pile. The two sections are then fastened together by the bolts 41.

It should be noted that the work platform is positioned on the piles in such a manner that when the legs 26 of the track structure rest on the work platform the disc-like member is at approximately the proper elevation for cutting off the pile. Final adjustment in elevation of the disc-like member 13 can be made by placing shims (not shown) under the legs to raise one side or the other of the track structure 11 to the proper elevation. Steps should also be taken to ascertain that the track structure is substantially level.

After the track structure is in the correct position, the bolts 32 in the track structure are threaded inwardly to engage the pile and to firmly clamp the track structure to the pile.

The motor-driven disc may then be mounted on the carriage if it is not in place by inserting the L-shaped member 73 through the slot 78 and then inserting the extension 67 into the member 66 and dropping the pin 68 into place. The collar 83 is then placed in the hole 84 and the latch moved over the collar.

After the circular track structure 11 and the motor 58 are in position, the motor 58 is started in operation while the disc-like member 13 is free of the pile. While grasping the handle 61 of the saw with one hand, the other hand is used for grasping the handle 94 to rotate the rod 82 to move the rotating abrasive disc 13 into contact with the pile 97. The rod 82 is adjusted so that a relatively small cut is made in the concrete pile. The workman then pulls or pushes the carriage 12 around the pile on the track structure. During each rotation of the carriage about the pile, the screw or threaded rod 82 is adjusted so that the abrasive disc is moved inwardly to take progressively deeper cuts. This operation is continued until the pile is almost completely cut off. Sufficient material should be left so that the upper portion of the pile will not accidentally topple from the pile to cause injury to the workman and damage to the equipment.

It will be appreciated that in cutting off a concrete pile with our machine, more than one abrasive disc may be required for the operation. Our machine has been constructed in such a manner to facilitate rapid and easy replacement of the abrasive disc. When an abrasive disc has been broken or worn, the latch 85 is swung away from over the top of the collar 83 and the collar 83 is lifted out of the L-shaped member 73. This releases the L-shaped member 73 so that the L-shaped member 73 may be pulled through the slot 78 after the pin 68 has been removed. The motor 58 may then be tilted to facilitate easy replacement of the abrasive disc. As soon as a new abrasive disc has been put in place, the L-shaped member 73 is slid through the slot 78 and the pin 68 is put in place. The collar 83 is again placed in the L-shaped member 73 and the latch 85 is moved into position.

After a cut of sufficient depth has been made in a pile as hereinbefore described, our pile cut-off machine is removed by loosening the bolts 32 and then remov ing the bolts 41. The pile cut-off machine is then removed to the next pile where the same sequence of operation is performed.

After the pile cut-off machine has been removed, the portion of the pile which is above the cut off point may be removed by suitable means such as a derrick or crane which is fastened to the upper portion of the pile to break the remaining portion of the pile which has not been cut through. The cut off portion may then be lifted away, removed and disposed of in any suitable manner.

It has been found that the air hose or cord utilized for operating the motor 58 may cause some trouble as the carriage is rotated about the pile. To keep the hose in an out-of-the-way position, the hose may be suspended from an elevation above the pile and periodically untwisted when necessary, or if desired, a reversing motor can be provided so that the operator at periodic intervals may travel in the opposite direction about the pile to unwind the hose.

By the use of our pile cut-off machine, it has been found that the piles can be cut off to a desired elevation much more rapidly and safely than is possible with conventional apparatus. For example, in cutting off a pre stressed pile of the type shown in the drawing having an outside diameter of approximately two feet and a wall thickness of approximately six inches, it took between one-half hour and forty-five minutes to cut through the pile. By conventional methods more than two hours would have been utilized for such an operation.

It is apparent from the foregoing that we have provided a new pile cut-01f machine which can be utilized for cutting prestressed concrete piles to a desired elevation. The piles are undamaged during the cutting operation and are neatly cut off to provide a smooth upper surface. The use of our machine also makes the cutting off of piles much simpler and safer.

We claim:

1. In a pile cut-off machine, a circular track structure adapted to be mounted on the pile, a carriage mounted on said track structure and adapted to be moved on said track structure around said pile, motive means, a disclike member driven by said motive means, and means for mounting said motive means on said carriage whereby said disc-like member may be moved in a plane at right angles to the axis of said pile and towards the center of the pile to make a cut in the pile as the carriage is moved around the pile.

2. A pile cut-off machine as in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said motive means is detachable from said carriage to permit said motive means to be lifted away from said carriage to facilitate the replacement of the disc-like member.

3. In a pile cut-otf machine, a circular track structure, means mounted on said track structure for clamping said track structure to the pile, a carriage mounted on said track structure and adapted to be moved on said track structure around said pile, motive means, a disc-like member mounted on said motive means and adapted to be rotated thereby, and means for mounting said motive means on said carriage so that said disc-like member lies in a plane at right angles to the axis of the pile, said last named means including a screw for moving said disc-like member inwardly towards the center of said pile.

4. A machine as in claim 3 wherein said screw is detachably connected to said motive means.

5. In a pile cut-ofi machine, a circular track structure, means mounted on said track structure for clamping said track structure to said pile, upper and lower tracks mounted on said track structure, a carriage having wheels engaging said tracks and adapted to move on said tracks about said piles, motive means, a disc-like member carried by said motive means, and means for mounting said motive means on said carriage so that said disclike member lies in a plane at right angles to the axis of said pile, said last named means including a guideway for said motive means, and a screw connected to said motive means for moving said motive means in said guideway to move said disc-like member towards the center of said pile whereby as the carriage is moved about the pile progressively deeper cuts may be made in the pile.

6. In a pile cut-off machine, a circular track structure, means mounted on said track structure for clamping said track structure to the pile, upper and lower tracks mounted on said track structure, a carriage having wheels adapted to engage the tracks on said track structure, the carriage being movable on the track structure about the pile, motive means including a housing for said motive means, a disc-like member mounted on said motive means and adapted to be rotated by said motive means, means for mounting one portion of said housing on said carriage to permit pivotal movement of said motive means and said disc-like member about the pivot point, an arcuate guideway mounted on said carriage, means mounted on said housing and engaging said arcuate guideway, a screw extending through said last named means and adapted to move said motive means and said disc-like member about said pivot point to cause the disc-like member to be moved towards the center of the pile whereby as the carriage is moved about the pile progressively deeper cuts may be made in the pile.

7. A machine as in claim 7 together with legs mounted on said track structure, said legs being adapted to rest on a work platform.

No references cited. 

